Billiard-cue bridge.



PATENTED NOV. 8, 1904.

K. VAN SETRES.

BILLIARD CUE BRIDGE.

APPLIUATION FILED OUT. 21, 1903.

UNTTED STATES Patented November 8, 1904.

PATENT OFFIQE.

BlLLlARD-CUE BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,621, dated November 8, 1904.

Application filed October 21, 1903. Serial No. 177,960. (No model.)

1'0 tall w/tont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, KRYN VAN Snrnnsresiding in Paterson, Passaic county, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Billiard-Cue Bridges, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to bridges or guides for employment in controlling the movement of a billiard-cue in executing a shot; and the more prominent object of the invention is the provision of a simple, light, and comparatively inexpensive device for the purpose stated which can be affixed to and conveniently retained upon the index-finger of the hand of the player, which is passive during the operation of shooting, the said device being of such character that it will in no way encumber or objectionably interfere with the customary movements of the hand of the player during the game.

\Vith the above and other purposes in View the novel device consists of a peculiar construction involving a ring of such diameter and spring character that the same may be readily slipped and retained upon the indexfinger of one hand, said ring being provided with an upper pair of relativelysoparated and outwardly-curved members constituting guides and rests for the cue, so as to steady the same and permit the shot to be accurately executed.

There are other important features connected with the invention which, besides those alluded to, are clearly set forth in the subsequent detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view illustrating a hand in a familiar position occupied in executing a shot, my improved guide or bridge being represented on the index-finger and the cue relation being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view of a hand on a somewhat larger scale and representing the same in another position, the novel bridge or guide and the cue relation therewith being also indicated in this figure. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of said device. Fig. 4: is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a side view showing a modified form of the device. Fig. 6 is a part-sectional view showing a form of the device wherein the guide members are equipped with antifriction provision.

1n the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4:, inclusive, the device is represented as consisting of a single piece of wire of the proper gage and of more or less resilient character to afiord the desired amount of spring. This piece of wire is bent to present a circular body A which will normally be of such diameter that, in connection with its spring quality, it can readily be expanded to a limited extent in slipping it upon the index-finger of one hand, so that it will tend to contract, and thus be retained in position upon said finger. The formation of the circular body A is such that terminal portions of the wire contiguously extend beyond the same at one point, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, and these portions are bent first with a slightlyinward curvature, as shown at a, and then outwardly diverged with a moderate curvature, as indicated at ct, thus presenting two coactive members A of the configuration indicated. in the last-mentioned figure of the drawings. It will be observed by reference more particularly to Fig. 4: that the-circular body A is composed of two circular convolutions a a which are connected at the top by the lateral diagonally-disposed portion (0*. the members A being located at opposite sides, respectively, of said portion.

It will be readily comprehended from the foregoing description that with the device adjusted upon the index-finger of what may be referred to as the passive hand of the player and with the curved members A of the device uppermostsaid device may be utilized as a bridge or guide for accurately directing the cue movement, this latter being accomplished by causing the cue to rest in the upper flared portion of the members, the comparative limited character of the contact between such members and one obviating any serious retardation.or'resistance to the cue movements. The peculiar character and disposition of the diagonal portion a are such th at said portion imparts considerable strength to the device while yet permitting the loca tion of the members A, so that they'will be of the configuration involved in the guide in proper mutual relation for supporting the l cue.

As before stated, the device is not only highly useful in playing billiards, butit is eX- lj tremely simple and can be produced in large quantities at comparatively slight expense. Its general configuration is such that when being utilized it will not seriously present objectionable projecting parts or otherwise tend to obstruction or inconvenience. The general size and form of the device permit of its being conveniently carried in the vest or any other pocket desired.

The essential principles of the novel cueguide can be embodied in numerous forms other than those 1 have so far described. For instance, as illustrated in Fig. 5, said device may be produced from a length of tape-spring sufficiently narrow as to not be cumbersome. In this arrangement an inner ring-body A can be formed and the spring so arranged at the base thereof as to permit portions a to embrace said body at each side and at their upper terminals to be curved for presenting the guide members A. It will be observed that the upper part a. of the ring-body constitutes the closed portion between the members A.

It will be convenient to equip the upper l guide members with revoluble antifriction provision. One arrangement for accomplish- I ing this is set forth in Fig. 6, wherein the up- I per members A have approximately spherical rollers a revolubly mounted therein and retained in position between the lower and upper bends a (11 of the members. These rollers may be of glass, porcelain, ebony, or other suitable hard material. It will be observed that the opposite surfaces of these rollers conjointly present a cue-rest partaking generally members of the previous forms.

1 do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to any of the particular configurations and arrangements of the device shown and described, but reserve the right to all modifications that may be fairly within the scope of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A billiard-cue bridge or guide comprising a single length of narrow resilient metal presenting a ring-body closed at the bottom and sides and providing at its top a horizontal portion beyond and above which the terminals relatively diverge to form upper guide 5 members.

2. A billiard-cue bridge or guide comprismg a single length of narrow resilient metal presenting a r1ng-body closed at the bottom 5 and sides and presenting at its top a horizontal portion beyond and above which the terminals relatively diverge to form upper guide members, the parts at the top of the ringbody being disconnected to permit the expansion of the latter to accommodate differentsized fingers.

3. The within-described billiard-cue guide, comprising a single piece of wire presenting two ring convolutions connected at their top by a laterally-disposed diagonal portion (6*, the terminals of the wire presenting upper oppositely-diverging guide members located on opposite sides of said diagonal portion.

t. A billiard-cue bridge or guide comprising a single length of narrow resilient metal presenting a ring-body closed at the bottom and sides and providing at its top a horizontal portion beyond and above which the ter minals are spread to form relatively diverging members, said members having upper and lower bends, and rollers revoluble on said members between the upper and lower bends thereof.

5. A billiard-cue bridge or guide comprising a plurality of convolutions formed of a single length of narrow resilient metal presenting a ring-body closed at the bottom and sides, said ring forming an offset at the top, whereby the terminals of the ring are oppositely disposed at the sides of said ofi'set portion and said terminals projecting above the body of the ring and relatively diverging to form guide members; substantially as shown and described.

(5. A billiard-cue bridge or guide formed of a plurality of convolutions presenting a ringbody closed at the top and sides, the terminals of the said strip of metal projecting above the said ring-body and relatively diverging to form guide members; substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KRYN' VAN SETRES.

W'itnesses:

WILLIAM PAXToN, H. E. MAHER. 

